Chlorhexidine: The Vanguard of Antiseptics in Healthcare

  

 Chlorhexidine

Chlorhexidine is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. It falls under the class of chemical compounds called Bisbiguanides. Chlorhexidine is widely used as an antiseptic and disinfectant. It is an OTC(Over-the-counter) Drug. Chlorhexidine is a white or yellowish-white crystalline powder, which is soluble in methanol, propylene glycol, and glycerine. The melting point of Chlorhexidine is 154°C to 155°C. The molecular weight of Chlorhexidine is 505.4 gm/mol. It is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Structure:

The molecular formula of Chlorhexidine is,[C­­­­­22H30N10Cl2].

Chlorhexidine Structure

The IUPAC name of Chlorhexidine is, N, N""1,6-Hexanedylbin[N'-(4-chlorophenyl)] Imidodi-carbonimidic diamide.

Synthesis:

Chlorhexidine Synthesis

Mechanism of action:

Chlorhexidine is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. It destroys the microbial cell wall. Negatively charged phosphate ions are present on the microbial cell wall surface, and chlorhexidine's positively charged ions react with these phosphate ions. Due to this, the unity of the bacterial cell wall is destroyed and the microbial cells are dead. The effectiveness of chlorhexidine depends on the concentration.

Uses:

1. It is widely used in pre-surgical skin preparation to reduce the risk of surgical site infections. It is applied to the skin before the surgical procedure to eliminate and reduce the colonization of bacteria at the surgical site.
2. Healthcare professionals often use chlorhexidine-based hand sanitizers to maintain hand hygiene.
3. Chlorhexidine mouthwashes and toothpaste formulations combat oral bacteria, making them a valuable tool in dental hygiene.
4. In urinary catheter care, chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing and solutions are used to reduce the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections.

Side-effects:

    The common side-effects of chlorhexidine are,

1. Skin Rash.
2. Hives.
3. Mouth Irritation.
4. Increase in tartar.
5. Staining of teeth or mouth.
6. Itching.